Signing of LB Orr replaces Thompson

Shantee Orr is the new Chaun Thompson in the Browns' defensive scheme.

After losing Thompson to Houston in free agency, the Browns reacted by signing Orr, a versatile linebacker with some rush ability and experience on special teams. The deal is for one year.

Orr was undrafted out of Michigan and spent the bulk of his five NFL seasons with the Houston Texans. He appeared in the last three games in 2007 with Jacksonville after being released.

Orr has 25 starts in 51 career games, mostly at left outside linebacker with the Texans. He had seven sacks in 2005, including three in one game against Baltimore.

"Shantee has experience as an inside and outside linebacker and has also played extensively on special teams," Browns General Manager Phil Savage said in a club statement. "This signing will add to our depth and create better competition at these positions."

Career Transactions: Originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent by Green Bay on May 2, 2003...Waived by Green Bay on July 29, 2003...Claimed via waivers by Houston on July 30, 2003...Waived by Houston on Aug. 31, 2003...Signed by Houston to the practice squad on Sept. 1, 2003...Signed by Houston to the active roster on Nov. 16, 2003...Signed by Houston on March 26, 2004...Waived by Houston on Sept. 5, 2004...Signed by Houston to the practice squad on Sept. 6, 2004...Signed by Houston to the active roster on Dec. 6, 2004...Signed by Houston on March 23, 2006...Waived by Houston on Nov. 28, 2007...Signed by Jacksonville on Dec. 12, 2007...Signed by Cleveland as an undrafted rookie free agent on March 21, 2008.

Career Highlights: Fifth-year veteran linebacker has played in 51 career games, including 25 starts with Houston and Jacksonville...Had totaled 89 tackles and 10.5 sacks during his NFL career...Had a career-high 47 tackles and 7 sacks with Houston in 2005...Had a career-high 3 sacks for 23 yards at Baltimore on Dec. 4, 2005.

Seasonal Reviews:
2007: Began the year with Houston and appeared in 6 games, including two starts for the Texans, and totaled 3 tackles and 5 special teams tackles...Waived by Houston on Nov. 28, 2007...Signed by Jacksonville on Dec. 12 after the Jaguars lost Marcus Stroud to injury...Appeared in three games for Jacksonville and totaled 3 tackles and 3 special teams tackles...Listed as inactive for both postseason contests.

2006: Played in all 16 games for the second time in his career and started 11 games at outside linebacker...Registered 27 tackles, 23 solo and 1.5 sacks...Added 1 tackle vs. Philadelphia on Sept. 10, and 3 tackles and 1 recovered fumble vs. Washington on Sept. 24...Had 2 tackles and half a sack vs. Miami on Oct. 1...Totaled 5 tackles at N.Y. Giants on Nov. 5...Had a season-high 6 tackles and 1 sack vs. Buffalo on Nov. 19...Collected 4 tackles vs. Cleveland on Dec. 31.

2004: Went to camp with Houston and was waived by the Texans on Sept. 5...Signed by Houston to the practice squad on Sept. 6, and spent the first 12 weeks on the practice squad...Signed by Houston to the active roster on Dec. 6, and appeared in four games, mainly on special teams with 1 tackle.

2003: Signed by Green Bay as an undrafted rookie and was waived by the Packers before training camp...Claimed by Houston via waivers on July 30 and was waived by the Texans at the end of camp...Signed by Houston to the practice squad on Sept. 1, and spent the first 10 weeks of the season on the practice squad...Signed by Houston to the active roster and appeared in six games, mainly on special teams, and at outside linebacker...Totaled 9 tackles, 2 sacks and 1 recovered fumble...Also added 2 special teams tackles...Made his NFL debut at Buffalo on Nov. 16, and filled in for injured Antwan Peek, and recorded 1 sack and recovered a fumble by Bills QB Drew Bledsoe to clinch the victory...Suffered a broken led and ankle vs. Tennessee on Dec. 21, and was placed on Injured Reserve.

College: Lettered three seasons at Michigan and started 23 of 35 career games as a defensive end...Posted 79 tackles, 13 sacks, 9 PBU and 3 forced fumbles...Registered 24 tackles and 6 sacks as a junior...Collected a career-high 35 tackles and 6 sacks as a sophomore...Recorded 20 tackles and 1 sack in 2000 after redshirting in 1999...Majored in physical education.

Personal: Full name Shantee De'Shjuan Orr...Born May, 28, 1981 in Detroit, Mich...Played four positions at Detroit's Denby Tech Prep, earning all-state and USA Today honorable mention All-America honors as a senior...Played linebacker, guard, quarterback, and punter...Also lettered in baseball and track, winning city discus title as a sophomore.

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